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“Everyone’s Invited”
Children’s Sermon on the Parable of the Wedding Feast from Matthew 21:1-14
Main Objective: The main objective to note within this parable is that God invites us to reap the benefits of salvation, and all we have to do is accept that free gift. Sometimes we make excuses or push Him aside, as the people in the parable did. But God wants everyone to hear the good news of Jesus, and accepts all who come to Him in faith. We can pass that blessing onto others when we share the Gospel and invite people to church!
Law/Gospel Theme: We do not earn our faith any more than we earn our way to a party invitation. God “clothes” us with the blood of Jesus, allowing all to be accepted into His family. We can turn away and reject this gift, but we don’t have to do anything to receive it, other than believe it!
Optional Materials: Party supplies: presents, balloons, streamers, hats, noisemakers, cupcakes, invitations, goody bags, etc.
Bible Passage: Matthew 22:1-14
More Teaching Ideas for the Parable of the Wedding Feast
- Watch the video version of this children’s sermon on our YouTube channel
- See the related craft ideas and more Sunday School Crafts on YouTube channel
- Compare our full Sunday School lesson on Matthew 22:1-14
Children’s Sermon (Matthew 22:1-14) The Parable of the Wedding Feast
Greet children, with plenty of fun “party props” such as hats, streamers, balloons, gift wrap, noisemakers, etc.
Hello, children of God! Look at all of this fun stuff! I’m ready to go to a party…have you ever been invited to a party before? I love birthday parties, and I also enjoy Christmas parties, or welcome home parties or going away parties, or…well, any kind of celebration, really! What do you like about going to parties? (Allow for quick responses.)
I like getting cake, or playing games, or having a good time with people…and you know what I really love? I love getting goody bags! Isn’t it fun to take home free treats after a party? Well, it just so happens I have a goody bag here. There are some great little items inside… (Remove several small toys or treats from the bag. Lastly, take out a cross) Well, this is interesting. I don’t usually see these in birthday party treat bags, do you? Hmm…
Well, in our Gospel story today, there was a party of sorts going on. Jesus told a parable about a man who was having a big party for his son. The man throwing the party was the king, and his son was getting married and having a feast. The king sent out a whole bunch of invitations to people, but a lot of them said no. They refused his invitation and rejected going to the special feast, with silly excuses. Nobody wants to go to a party with no people, right? So instead, the king went out into the streets and invited anyone and everyone to his feast. All they had to do was put on a special piece of clothing to be presentable. A lot of people got to go to the party! But some people refused to wear the special clothing. Because of that, they couldn’t stay at the feast.
What does this mean for us? The parable was an explanation of how God invites us to be part of His Heavenly family. God wants everyone to be at the “party” of Heaven. And we don’t have to do anything special to do that! All it takes is accepting the free gift of salvation. Our “wedding garment” is the blood of Jesus. As long as we recognize His sacrificial death and what it means for us, our lives can be changed and made new. That’s much better than a goody bag! Because of Jesus, we are all invited to share in God’s grace. Anyone can believe and receive new life. We can also share that news and invite other people to be part of God’s family. The Gospel is a powerful and wonderful gift for all! Why don’t we thank God for that right now? Let’s pray:
Children’s Prayer Moment
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for inviting us into your family
Help us to reach out and invite others
Thank you for clothing us with Christ
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference: Matthew 22:1-14
And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
-Matthew 22:1-14
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